Tech company specializing in gambling experiences suffers cyber breach
International Game Technology (IGT), a global leader in gaming technology and services, has experienced a cyberattack on November 17, 2021. The company, headquartered in London and trading on the New York Stock Exchange, has not yet determined whether this incident is material.
The nature of the attack and its impact on IGT's operations, particularly in Nevada, remain unclear. Kirk Hendrick, chair of the Nevada Gaming Control Board, made a statement via email, but declined to comment on potential impacts on casino operations, stating that they do not comment on whether they are investigating particular persons or entities.
Cyberattacks on the gaming and sports industries are not uncommon. These attacks often involve data breaches, ransomware, and service disruptions, impacting operations and user trust. Ransomware actors like MedusaLocker use advanced tactics to extort companies, affecting organisations globally.
If IGT were targeted, the impact would likely include disruption of gaming and betting platforms, financial losses, and reputational damage within the gaming sector. However, no direct evidence or reports exist regarding a specific cyberattack on IGT or its detailed consequences.
IGT has approximately 10,500 employees spanning 100 countries and makes slot machines and gambling technology for lottery and sports betting operations. In Q3 of this year, the company reported a net income of $43 million on $587 million in revenue.
The company proactively took certain systems offline upon discovering the intrusion and is communicating with customers. They have alternatives for certain operations to maintain business continuity and mitigate disruptions. IGT maintains multiple production and operating offices in the U.S., including one in Las Vegas, but the company has not disclosed the location of its primary production and operating offices beyond this city.
The FBI issued a private industry notification in the previous year, warning about ransomware threat groups exploiting vulnerabilities in vendor-controlled remote access systems to gain access to casino servers. This cyberattack on IGT follows a period of heightened malicious activity targeting casinos and their vendors.
For accurate details on IGT specifically, monitoring authoritative cybersecurity reports or official company communications is recommended. The company was unable to be reached through its general media phone line, and contacts for global communications and investor relations resulted in errors. IGT has issued a securities filing regarding the cyberattack on November 16, 2021.
The warning followed high-profile ransomware attacks on casino giants MGM Resorts and Caesars Entertainment in September 2023. As the investigation and response efforts continue, it is crucial to stay informed about any updates from IGT or the Nevada Gaming Control Board.
- The cyberattack on International Game Technology (IGT) might involve ransomware, similar to the attacks that have been prevalent in the casino-and-gambling industry, resulting in data breaches, service disruptions, financial losses, and potential reputational damage.
- In light of the heightened cybersecurity threats towards gaming technologies like that of IGT, it is essential to prioritize cybersecurity measures, especially considering the increasing use of technology in casino-and-gambling operations.
